Former Starkville firefighter indicted for embezzlement

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – A former Starkville firefighter is indicted on an embezzlement charge. This past May we told you about the arrest of Clarence Parks. Now, an Oktibbeha County Grand Jury has indicted him. He is charged with embezzlement: fraud committed in public office. The investigation started after internal and external complaints. In the indictment, prosecutors allege he used…

Three candidates left in the running to be next Columbus police chief

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The search for Columbus’s next top cop is narrowed down to three candidates. A search committee interviewed seven people before selecting the finalists. The final three were selected for a meeting this morning. Sources tell WCBI that no one currently employed at the Columbus Police Department made the list. The names of those candidates have not…

Starkville offers a way for locals to shop, dine, and save

STARKVILLE, Miss (WCBI)- With the Holidays right around the corner, and inflation taking a bite out of everybody’s budgets, finding good deals is extra important right now. The fall season is here, which means the holiday season is near, and Starkville is offering some ways for residents to shop and not break the bank. Hunter Harrington, director of the Greater…

Man charged with involuntary manslaughter in Webster County

WEBSTER COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A shooting in Webster County over the weekend left one man dead. The other has been charged with involuntary manslaughter. It happened near the Clarkson Community. Webster County Sheriff David Gore told WCBI the two men knew each other and were known to shoot guns together. His investigators believe the shooting was accidental. “Somewhere around…

City of Columbus’ forensic lab gets funding from Lowndes County

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The City of Columbus’ forensic lab gets some financial help from Lowndes County. At today’s meeting, Supervisors voted to use a share of the County’s ARPA money to buy a new gas mass spectrometer for the Forensics Lab. The device is used to test drug samples. Columbus formed its own drug lab in response to long…

Weekend shooting in Columbus leaves one man injured

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A man is injured in a weekend shooting in Columbus. The gunfire happened at about 9:40 on Saturday night in the area of Waterworks Road and Byrnes Circle. WCBI learned the man was shot in the leg. Columbus police have not released any information about the shooting. Sources tell WCBI that no arrest has been made….

Tupelo church celebrates milestone

King City Church celebrates new name, same message

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A Tupelo church less than ten years old recently celebrated a milestone. Seven years ago, a handful of people from Cornerstone Church in Southaven planted a church with the same name in Tupelo. The membership quickly grew over the years, and recently, the church on Briar Ridge became self-sufficient enough to change its name to King…

People in the community go to the 18th Annual Caledonia Days

CALEDONIA, Miss. (WCBI)- Today is part two of the 18th annual Caledonia Days event. It’s been 18 years since the first ever Caledonia Days Festival and after almost 2 decades, the event welcomes hundreds of people each year. Vendors from Caledonia, Columbus, and surrounding areas set up booths for festivalgoers. They are thankful for the people that support their businesses….

18-wheeler catches fire on Highway 45 South in Lowndes County

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – An 18-wheeler hauling scrap metal went up in flames this afternoon in Lowndes County. The fire happened on Highway 45 South, near Highway 182, at about noon. Lowndes County Fire Coordinator Neil Austin says the trailer on the big rig was saved. However, the cab turned into ashes and charred metal. The driver was able…

Verona Police identify person of interest in Thursday shooting

VERONA, Miss. (WCBI) – Verona Police have identified a person of interest in a Thursday afternoon shooting. Police responded to a shooting shortly before two o’clock yesterday afternoon at a home in the 5300 block of Raymond Avenue. Two men had been shot. Both were taken to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo with what were described as non-life-threatening injuries….

DA Scott Colom nominated for federal judge position by President Biden

GOLDEN TRIANGLE AREA, Miss. (WCBI) – Golden Triangle area District Attorney Scott Colom is nominated to become a federal judge. President Biden made the announcement late this afternoon. The judicial position would be for the United States District Court in the Northern District of Mississippi in Oxford. Colom has been the district attorney for the 16th Judicial District since 2016….

Two men wanted for questioning in forgery, stolen vehicle case

YALOBUSHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Yalobusha County deputies are searching for two men in a $39,000 forgery case and for a stolen vehicle. Investigators say the unknown man in this picture took the vehicle and is wanted for questioning. They also want to talk to a man named John Bolton. Deputies do not have a picture of him. Both men…

Noxubee County High School celebrates achieving C rating

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Noxubee County High School celebrated its students with food and fun this afternoon after the school received a C rating. Principal Aiesha Brooks says she wanted to acknowledge the hard work of her students after working hard to bring up their past D ratings and she is proud of each and every one of…